Time-Limited Food Assistance (TLFA) (webcast)

Since 2002, Michigan has had a waiver from the federal government that allows able-bodied adults without dependents to get Food Assistance Program (FAP) benefits indefinitely regardless of their work status.

The waiver was granted primarily because Michigan's unemployment rate has been above the national average.

But Michigan's declining unemployment rate means the waiver is expected to expire.

This change will require a Time-Limited Food Assistance (TLFA) individual to meet specific work requirements to receive benefits. Failure to do so limits the individual’s Food Assistance Program (FAP) eligibility to three months within a 36-month period.

TLFA individuals who meet all other FAP eligibility criteria are eligible for three countable months of FAP benefits during a 36-month period.

Effective January 1, 2017, Kent, Oakland, Ottawa and Washtenaw counties became subject to the Time-Limited Food Assistance because they have the state’s lowest unemployment rates. At this time, all other counties remain under waiver from this policy.

This webcast will cover FAE&T policy and OSMIS data entry to provide services subject to customers to TLFA in Fiscal Year 2018. The presenters will share best practices and lessons learned from the four initial counties to implement a TLFA program.